STUDENT - BODY WORLDS Vital

GUIDE
STUDENT
EU JAN 2016
A WORD OF APPRECIATION
We would like to thank all those
who have donated their bodies,
without whom this exhibition
would not have been possible.
C ONTENT S
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Plastination?
8
Interview with Gunther von Hagens
10
Welcome
12
Exhibition Overview
13
The Locomotive System
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The Nervous System
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The Respiratory System
18
The Cardiovascular System
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The Digestive System
22
Embryonic & Foetal Development
24
Art in Science
26
Would You Do It?
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This material is protected under copyright laws and may not be reproduced in any manner
without the express written permission of the Institute for Plastination.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What is BODY WORLDS?
The exhibition BODY WORLDS, internationally known as
BODY WORLDS: The Original Exhibition of Real Human
Bodies, is the first exhibition of its kind to inform the visitor about anatomy, physiology, and health by viewing real
human bodies. The specimens on display were preserved
through Plastination, the preservation process invented by
Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, while he was working as
an anatomist at the University of Heidelberg.
Since the beginning of the exhibition series in Japan in 1995,
more than 40 million visitors in over 100 cities in America,
Europe, Asia and Africa have seen the world’s most successful traveling exhibition.
What does BODY WORLDS show?
Each BODY WORLDS exhibition contains real human specimens, including whole-body plastinates as well as individual
organs, organ configurations, and transparent body slices.
The spectacular plastinates in the exhibition take the visitor
on an exciting journey of discovery under the skin. It provides a wide-ranging insight into the anatomy and physiology
of the human body. In addition to organ functions, common
diseases are described in an easily understood manner by
comparing healthy and affected organs. They show the longterm impact of diseases and addictions, such as tobacco
or alcohol consumption, and demonstrate for example the
mechanics of artificial knee and hip joints.
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WORLDS & The Cycle of Life), the story of the human body
in the 21st century (BODY WORLDS: Pulse), the influence
that ‘happiness’ has on our health (BODY WORLDS: The
Happiness Project) and the prescription for a healthy life
(BODY WORLDS RX).
The exhibitions show a multitude of brand new plastinates
and offer every visitor – even the ardent BODY WORLDS visitor – a fascinating exhibition experience.
BODY WORLDS Vital presents a special collection of specimens designed to show visitors the basics for human health
and wellness. The exhibition includes whole-body plastinates, a large arrangement of individual organs, organ
and arterial configurations, and translucent slices that give
a complete picture of how the human body works. “Vital”
tells the fascinating story of how best to fight life-threatening
diseases – such as cancer, diabetes, and heart ailments –
through healthy choices and lifestyle changes. The exhibit
inspires visitors to assert themselves and to claim responsibility for their own health and well-being.
The new BODY WORLDS!
BODY WORLDS & The Story of the Heart reveals – through
the lenses of anatomy, cardiology, psychology, and culture –
how the heart nourishes, regulates, and maintains life. The
heart is the steady engine of our life. Due to this continuous
strain, it is also vulnerable to wear and tear and to dysfunctions. Diseases of the cardiovascular system are the leading
cause of death today. “The Story of the Heart“ also highlights
other aspects of this vital organ. In religion, art, literature,
and pop culture, the heart is seen as a symbol of love, compassion, happiness, and courage. The exhibition gives visitors a deep insight into the human body, health and disease,
and the complicated world of the cardiovascular system.
How do the various BODY WORLDS exhibitions that are
being shown differ from each other?
- While all of the BODY WROLDS exhibitions focus on general anatomy revealed through Plastination, each exhibition
is currently being shown with dedicated themes – on the
body´s capability and vitality (BODY WORLDS Vital), cardiology and the heart (BODY WORLDS & The Story of the
Heart), human development, longevity and aging (BODY
BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life features a special presentation on the human life cycle and aging – from prenatal
development and infancy, to childhood and adolescence,
to youth, adulthood, and old age. It shows the body living
through time – at its most healthy, and as it changes, grows,
matures, peaks, and finally fades. The exhibition shows the
complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body
through anatomical studies of the body in distress, disease,
and optimal health. Visitors to “The Cycle of Life” will see
the body living through the span of time from the spark of
conception to old age, and learn about the latest findings in
longevity and aging science
BODY WORLDS: Pulse shows the science and splendour of
the human body, and deconstructs its form and function. It
presents the body in health and distress, its vulnerabilities
and potential, and many of the challenges the human body
faces as it navigates the 21st Century. “Pulse” is a convergence of aesthetic anatomy, the latest findings in health and
wellness, immersive multimedia, and narrative storytelling
threaded with deep metaphors. It shows the possibility of
living mindfully, with meaning and vitality.
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project marks an entirely new chapter in the already impressive range of BODY
WORLDS exhibitions. A permanent exhibition exploring
what happiness is and the science behind it. “The Happiness Project” tells the story of our bodies and the influence
that the emotional phenomenon of ‘happiness’ has on our
health. Visitors learn for example that people who are happy,
live longer than people who are unhappy.
BODY WORLDS RX exhibition focuses on the most prevalent
contemporary diseases, that afflict children and adults alike,
their causes and effects. BODY WORLDS RX is an informative and entertaining presentation of the latest research on
top health issues and shall inspire visitors to embrace preventive healthcare.
All BODY WORLDS exhibitions generally present different
plastinates, which is most evident in the whole-body plastinates which each vary in pose and display.
ley were encouraged to create the new exhibition BODY
WORLDS of Animals which also tours the world under the
name ANIMAL INSIDE OUT. The display features the most
popular species in the animal kingdom. Better than any textbook, this fascinating exhibition shows the complex, amazing
biology of the natural world’s most remarkable creatures and
their nervous system, bones, muscles, and organs. ANIMAL
INSIDE OUT also allows a peek under the elephant’s skin.
Its trunk with a network of 40,000 muscles is an incredibly
unique feature that has many different uses. And who would
have known that a giraffe uses its 50-centimetres-long bluish tongue like a hand? ANIMAL INSIDE OUT’s educational
approach is particularly suitable for young visitors. For more
information: www.AnimalInsideOut.com.
What is the goal of the exhibition?
BODY WORLDS aims to educate the public about the inner
workings of the human body and shows the effects of poor
health, good health, and lifestyle choices. It is also presented
in the hopes that it will motivate visitors to learn more about
the science of anatomy and physiology.
Who should see BODY WORLDS?
Anyone interested in learning what makes us human. Adults
of all ages will find the exhibits fascinating. Given the nature
of the BODY WORLDS exhibits, it is up to parents, guardians, or school staff to decide whether BODY WORLDS is
appropriate for the children in their care.
Where else has BODY WORLDS been exhibited? Where will they be on display next?
Are there animals in the BODY WORLDS
exhibitions, as well?
Most BODY WORLDS exhibitions have a few animal specimens on display. Due to the great popularity of the animal
plastinates, Dr. Gunther von Hagens and Dr. Angelina Whal-
There are ten BODY WORLDS exhibitions, which have been
viewed by more than 40 million people throughout the world.
BODY WORLDS exhibitions have been displayed in Asia, Europe, America and Africa. Additional BODY WORLDS exhibitions are planned. If you would like to know in what cities the
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exhibitions will be on display next, please go to our official
website, www.bodyworlds.com, where you will find an overview of future exhibition venues. If you are interested in additional information about BODY WORLDS current exhibitions
and more, you may join our Facebook community.
Why is it important for the public
to see these exhibitions?
The organisers of BODY WORLDS believe that when people
understand more about how the body works and how it can
break down, they are more likely to choose healthy lifestyles.
They also hope it will inspire visitors to learn more about the
life sciences. Knowledge about what the human body looks
like and how it functions is basic life science information that
should be available to everyone.
Would I be able to learn just as much from
books or models of the human anatomy?
The use of authentic specimens allows a thorough examination and study of disease, physiology, and anatomy that
you cannot find in models, textbooks, or photos. In addition,
the exhibition allows visitors to understand that each and
every body has its own unique features, even on the inside.
The experience in other cities has clearly demonstrated that
real specimens fascinate exhibit visitors in a way that models
cannot.
What is Plastination?
Plastination is a unique process invented by Dr. Gunther von
Hagens in 1977 to preserve specimens for medical education. The process replaces bodily fluids and fat in specimens
with fluid plastics that harden after so-called vacuum-forced
impregnation (see in this guide for an explanation of this
method). After the bodies are shaped into lifelike poses, they
are hardened with gas, heat, or light. The plastinates show
how our bodies move in everyday life, as well as during athletic activities. For more information about Plastination, go to
www.bodyworlds.com.
Where did the specimens on display come
from? Will we know who the plastinates are or
how they died?
The BODY WORLDS exhibitions rely on the generosity of body
donors; individuals who requested that, upon their death,
their bodies could be used for educational purposes in the
exhibition. All the whole-body plastinates and the majority
of the specimens are from these body donors; only some
organs, foetuses and specific specimens that show unusual
conditions come from old anatomical collections and morphological institutes. As agreed upon by the body donors,
their identities and causes of death are not disclosed. The
exhibition focuses on the nature of our bodies, not on telling
personal information.
Currently there are more than 15,000 donors registered in
the body donation program of the Institute for Plastination.
For more information please visit the body donation section
of www.bodyworlds.com. BODY WORLDS exhibitions are the
based on an established body donation programme through
which the body donors specifically request that their bodies
could be used in a public exhibition after their deaths.
Why are the plastinates posed
the way they are?
The poses of the plastinates have been carefully thought
out and serve educational aims. Each plastinate is posed
to show different anatomical features. For instance, the athletic poses illustrate the use of muscle systems while playing
sports. The poses are chosen to highlight specific anatomical features and allow the visitor to compare the plastinate to
his or her own body.
Will I be able to touch any of the plastinates?
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While you will be able to get very close to the plastinates, as
a rule, visitors are not allowed to touch them.
Is this exhibition appropriate for children?
More than 40 million people, including young children have
viewed the BODY WORLDS exhibitions around the world. If
you are considering bringing children or school groups to
BODY WORLDS, visit our online resources section to find out
how to use the exhibition as a learning experience.
Is there an audio tour?
Audio Guides are offered for an additional fee. The audio
tours are designed for the layman. They are available in English and other languages. There are no personally guided
tours through the exhibit, at this time.
Teachers will wish to prepare both their students and their
adult supervisors carefully for their BODY WORLDS experience. Educator materials are available upon request and
for download on the website www.bodyworlds.com. BODY
WORLDS offers preview opportunities so that teachers can
see the exhibition free of charge before bringing their classes
to it.
How long can you stay inside the exhibit?
You can stay as long as you like, within the opening hours.
We recommend allowing yourself about one to two hours.
The length of time will vary on how long each visitor wishes
to examine each specimen and read the information. An audio tour will add to your time in the exhibits. Re-entry to the
exhibition is not allowed, once you exit.
Can you take photographs or film
in the exhibitions?
Have the ethical questions
about this exhibition been discussed?
Before the North American premiere of BODY WORLDS, a
wide committee of theologians, ethicists, academics, and
medical experts thoroughly discussed the ethical questions.
Guided by the California Science Center, Los Angeles, they
wrote an Ethics Review of the origins of bodies in BODY
WORLDS. It can be downloaded from our website www.
bodyworlds.com.
Photography and filming, including pictures taken with mobile phones, are not allowed in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions, except by official members of the media.
What educational materials are provided?
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WHAT IS PLASTINATION?
The Plastination Process
Preservation by Plastination
Plastination is a method that was developed to preserve
the body and to use it for educational purposes. Like
most inventions, the basic principle is relatively simple.
Specimens plastinated with silicone are cured with a special gas.
1. Embalming and Anatomical Dissection
The first step of the process
involves halting decay by pumping formalin
into the body through the arteries.
Formalin kills all bacteria and
chemically stops the decay of tissue.
Using dissection tools, the skin,
fatty and connective tissues are removed
in order to prepare the individual anatomical
structures.
Acetone bath
Formalin solution
being injected
into the body
The Plastination
process itself is based on two exchange steps:
2. Removal of Body Fat and Water
In the first step, the body water and soluble fats
are dissolved from the body by placing it
into a solvent bath (e.g., an acetone bath).
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Vacuum chamber
with liquid polymer
3. Forced Impregnation
This second exchange process
is the central step in Plastination.
During forced impregnation a reactive polymer,
e.g., silicone rubber, replaces the acetone.
To achieve this,
the specimen is immersed in a polymer solution
and placed in vacuum chamber.
The vacuum removes the acetone from the specimen
and helps the polymer to penetrate every last cell.
Vacuum
pump
Vacuum
pump
Vacuum
Acetone is removed
from the tissue
Silicone
enters the tissue
4. Positioning
After vacuum impregnation, the body is positioned as desired.
Every single anatomical structure is properly aligned and fixed
with the help of wires, needles, clamps, and foam blocks.
5. Curing (Hardening)
In the final step, the specimen is hardened.
Depending on the polymer used, this is done with gas, light, or heat.
Positioning
Dissection and Plastination of an entire body requires about 1,500 working
hours and normally takes about one year to complete.
Slice Plastination
Slice Plastination is a special form of Plastination. First, the body is frozen
and cut into 2 to 8 millimetres thick slices. Instead of silicone, the body is
treated with polyester or epoxy resin during this process.
Courtesy of The Denver Post
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INTERVIEW WITH
GUNTHER VON HAGENS
Children Interview Dr. Gunther von Hagens,
Creator of BODY WORLDS & Inventor of Plastination
Were the people in the exhibit old
when they died?
Dr. von Hagens: The people who donated their bodies for
Plastination and to educate all of us about health are of
various ages. Some were old, but others were young in the
prime of their life. Each person is different, not just on the
outside but also on the inside. Even after more than 30
years as an anatomist, I have never seen two hearts that
look the same.
Where did the idea for BODY WORLDS
come from?
Were you ever scared
to work with dead bodies?
Dr. von Hagens: When I was about six years old, I was very
sick and nearly died. I was in hospital for many months
and became very comfortable in that environment of the
sick and dying. The doctors and nurses who cared for me
became my heroes and I wanted to be like them. Later,
when I worked in a hospital as an orderly and then a nurse,
(long before I became a doctor), one of my duties was to
transport the dead to the morgue. Other workers didn’t like
this job because it frightened them, but I was never afraid.
Being afraid of death is not a good way to live.
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Dr. von Hagens: When I used to teach anatomy to students
in medical school in the 1970s, I had to use illustrated
anatomy atlases and picture books to show the organs and
body systems. I tried to use real human organs and specimens, but at that time the specimens were preserved in
blocks of plastic so you could not touch them or study the
placement of the organs properly. I realised one day that
if the plastic was inside the body and not outside it, the
specimen would be rigid and easy to grasp, and study and
work with. I was only trying to solve a problem; I wanted to
educate my students so they would become better doctors,
as I don’t think doctors should be poking around inside
your body and operating on you if they don’t know important things about it.
But something very unusual began to happen after I began
to plastinate organs and specimens. The janitors and secretaries and office workers at the university began to stop
by the lab; they were fascinated by the plastinates. This
was when I began to think of anatomy for lay people, which
is what BODY WORLDS is. It is very different from anatomy
for medical professionals because it has to be interesting
and dynamic and not scary to look at.
How long does it take
to prepare the bodies for display?
Dr. von Hagens: Plastination takes a very long time. A
whole body can take up to 1,500 hours to prepare. The
specimen which has to date taken the longest to produce is
a plastinated elephant that weighs 3.2 tons and took three
years to complete.
What happens to the skin once
it is removed from the bodies?
Dr. von Hagens: Each body is an anatomical treasure, human remains must be handled carefully and respectfully.
All human remains are cremated and buried.
How do you get people
to donate their bodies?
Dr. von Hagens: I have never recruited body donors. People offer their bodies for Plastination for several reasons:
they want to leave a legacy for future generations; they
don’t like the effects of decay and decomposition that take
place after death; or they don’t like traditional burials.
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WELCOME
A Letter from BODY WORLDS
COOL FACT
Dr. Gunther von Hagens
invented Plastination in
1977.
Dear Students,
Have you ever watched a professional basketball player
seem to float in air as he or she leaps up to dunk the ball in
the basket? Or maybe you watched athletes competing at
the Olympics, and wondered “How did they do that?”
The activities inside this guide will help you learn more about
the human body. Come visit us to see BODY WORLDS.
You’ll really get to know yourself!
Well, our bodies are pretty amazing. And the more we learn
about ourselves and how our bodies work, the better we can
take care of ourselves and others. And, the healthier we will
be – making us better on the football pitch, basketball or
tennis court, riding a bike, or just walking down the street.
“Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS: The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies” was developed by a German
doctor and anatomist to help people understand how their
bodies work by letting them look inside real human bodies.
When you visit with your school or family, you will see exactly
how your organs look and what happens to them when
certain diseases take over. You will see how smoking
destroys lungs and how bones, muscles, and ligaments all
work together so you can play sports, dance, or skate.
Dr. Angelina Whalley
Conceptual Designer of BODY WORLDS and
President and CEO of the Institute for Plastination.
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Exhibition Overview
including Human Facts
Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS exhibits
use the science of Plastination
to let visitors see
how human bodies are put together.
The exhibit also teaches how different
anatomical systems work in the human body.
This special student supplement explores
several of the systems featured in the exhibit,
including the locomotive system,
the nervous system, the respiratory system,
the cardiovascular system, the digestive system,
and embryonic & foetal development.
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THE LOCOMOTIVE SYSTEM
Motion Happen
Cheekbone
Collarbone
(clavicle)
Breastbone
(sternum)
Wing of ilium
Pelvis Sacrum
Coccyx
The skeleton has many jobs. It provides protection to internal
organs, it supports the body and gives it its shape, and it
provides a place for muscles to attach.
Bones are important to almost every movement we make.
Bones couldn’t move a pencil, though, without help from
muscles. Muscles consist of cells that contract.
Shaft of the femur
Muscles and bones are connected by tendons, which
are similar to ropes. When a muscle contracts, it pulls
the tendon, which then tugs on the bone, and everything
moves.
Kneecap
Fibula
Although it may seem easy to do something like throw a ball,
it’s actually complicated when looked at inside the body.
To make the motion of throwing, many muscle groups in
the shoulders, arms, chest, abdomen, and even legs must
be used! Each of these groups must work together with
nerves in order for motion to occur. And all this happens in
a fraction of a second!
Shinbone (tibia)
Upper ankle joint
Skeleton
Voluntary muscles are used when you throw a ball. These
are the muscles we can control. People also have involuntary
muscles, which we cannot control, such as the heart and
the stomach.
The locomotive system makes movement possible. It
consists of the bones that make up the skeleton, the joints
that hold the bones together, and the muscles that contract
and relax to actually make you move.
The skeleton is the framework of the body, and is made up
of bones and cartilage. Bone is made mostly of calcium,
which is why it is important to eat calcium-rich food to keep
your bones strong.
Inside the bone is sponge-like matter called bone marrow.
This makes bones light so people can move easily, but
strong enough to support body weight. Bone marrow also
produces red and white blood cells. Red blood cells have
haemoglobin and carry oxygen. White blood cells produce
antibodies to attack bacteria, infections, and diseases.
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EXTENSION
Biceps is relaxed
Triceps is contracted
FLEXION
Biceps is contracted
Triceps is relaxed
COOL FACT
At birth, humans have 300 bones. As a
baby grows, however, many of the smaller
bones fuse together so that adults have
just 206 bones.
Upper armbone
Collateral ligament
Ulna
Radius
Elbow joint, viewed from the front
Another important part of the locomotive system are the
joints. Joints are positioned between major bones that come
together and help you to move and bend.
There are different kinds of joints, including ball and socket
joints in the hips and hinge joints at the knees and elbows.
The Runner (1997)
Learn with BODY WORLDS
The bones of the human skeleton give the body both
Joints are surrounded by capsules containing fluid that help
the bones move smoothly.
strength and structure. A strong and healthy skeleton is
important for every person for both work and recreation.
Think of three things that you do every day that involve
the use of certain bones.
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COOL FACT
The nervous system carries messages
from the brain to other parts of the body
at more than 400 kilometres per hour.
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
The Messenger and the Boss
Axon terminals
The nervous system is the system of the body that controls
movements, thoughts, and emotions throughout the body.
Without it, you wouldn’t be able to function!
Schwann cell
There are two parts to the nervous system: the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
The central nervous system includes the brain and the spinal cord. They work together with nerves to send messages
back and forth between the brain and the rest of the body.
Schematic illustration
of a neuron
Nucleus
Cell body
Dendrite
The brain controls the system. It has five parts: the cerebrum, the cerebellum, the brain stem, the pituitary gland,
and the hypothalamus.
The cerebrum is the biggest part of the brain and controls
thoughts, language, and voluntary muscles, which are the
muscles you can control. You also use the cerebrum when
you think hard and when you need to remember things.
The cerebellum is a lot smaller than the cerebrum, but still
very important. It controls balance, movement, and coordination. If it weren’t for the cerebellum, you wouldn’t be able
to stand without falling!
The brain stem connects the rest of the brain to the spinal
cord. It’s the part in charge of major things that keep you
alive like breathing, blood pressure, and digesting food.
Unlike the cerebrum, the brain stem controls the involuntary muscles – the ones that work without you thinking about
it, such as the heart and stomach.
Corpus callosum
Lateral ventricle
Cerebellum
Brain stem
Medulla oblongata
Left hemisphere of brain
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Cerebrum
Cerebellum
The tiny pituitary gland produces and releases hormones
into the body – hormones like those that help you grow and
change.
Dura mater
Finally, the hypothalamus regulates your body temperature, your emotions, and hunger and thirst.
Spinal nerves
Spinal cord
The brain has many jobs, but it needs help from nerves
and the spinal cord, too. Every action you do happens because your brain, your nerves, and your spinal cord work
together.
The nervous system includes millions and millions of neurons, which are microscopic cells. When you do something,
messages travel from the neurons to your brain.
The peripheral nervous system is composed of the nerves
and neurons that go outside the central nervous system to
operate the body’s limbs and organs. It is here that everything gets connected.
Sciatic nerve
Next time you take a test, drink a glass of water, laugh, or
do anything at all, thank your nervous system. Actually, you
can thank it right now since it just helped you read this!
Learn with BODY WORLDS
The nervous system carries messages to the brain that make it possible for the
body’s five senses to work. The five senses are touch, taste, hearing, sight, and
smell. Explore the five senses by writing about one of your favorite things for each
sense.
For example you may enjoy listening to music, because it helps you concentrate.
This relates to your sense of hearing.
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THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Oxygen In, Carbon Dioxide Out
The organs of the respiratory system work together, along
with other body systems, to ensure that the cells of the body
receive the oxygen they need to live.
When you breathe in, the muscles of your chest expand.
Your diaphragm lowers and creates lower air pressure in
your lungs than in the world outside. This causes air to enter
through the nose or mouth.
Once air enters, it travels past your esophagus, sometimes
called the “foodpipe,” and is moistened as it goes down the
trachea, or “windpipe,” into the lungs. As the air enters
the lungs, the lungs expand outward.
Once inside the lungs, the air travels through tubes,
called bronchi, into smaller tubes called bronchioles,
which get smaller and smaller until they reach the alveoli which are sacs about the size of a grain of sand.
It is through the walls of the alveoli that the oxygen in the
air you breathe enters the body’s blood, which flows past
the alveoli. The blood receives the oxygen and, in return,
passes carbon dioxide into the alveoli.
The cells of your body need oxygen to live, and carbon dioxide is the waste of things the cells do. Your red blood cells
are little workers that carry the oxygen to the cells and take
the carbon dioxide away.
Smoking, as we all know, makes the lungs less healthy
and can lead to death.
One of the reasons for this is that smoking makes
little structures called cilia stop working. Cilia move
within the lungs to help clear things out that enter
the lungs. Smoking disables or even kills them.
Then harmful particles stay in the lungs.
Windpipe
Main bronchi
Bronchi
Lungs showing the bronchial tree in the left upper lobe
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COOL FACT
Your left lung is a bit smaller than the
right to leave room for your heart.
Epiglottis
Another bad effect of smoking is that chemicals from cigarettes will build up in the lungs, and the delicate alveoli can
become thickened, swollen, and unable to exchange oxygen
and carbon dioxide with the blood in a healthy way. This
condition leads to emphysema.
Severely enlarged
thyroid gland
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
Non-smoker‘s lungs
Smoker’s lungs
Think about it
Plants take the carbon dioxide that we release and use it,
creating oxygen, which we need. We in turn take oxygen
and turn it into carbon dioxide, which plants need. This is
what is called a symbiotic relationship – one that is good for
both organisms. Try to think of other ways in which humans
interact with nature in symbiotic relationships.
LEARN WITH BODY WORLDS
A healthy respiratory system makes it possible for
people to live active lives. Smoking causes problems for the respiratory system. Make a list of five
reasons why people shouldn’t smoke.
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THE
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
The Body’s Great Pump
The heart is the central organ of the cardiovascular system
and it doesn’t look much like the drawings found on Valentines. Cardio means heart, and the cardiovascular system is
essential to our survival.
The cardiovascular system is sometimes referred to as the
circulatory system because it’s responsible for the circulation of blood through the body. It consists of the heart, which
is a muscular pumping device, and a closed system of vessels called arteries, veins, and capillaries.
The cardiovascular system’s vital role is to provide a continuous and controlled movement of blood through the
thousands of miles of microscopic capillaries that reach every tissue and cell in the body.
Human survival depends on the circulation of blood to the
organs, tissues, and cells of your body.
Arteries carry blood enriched with oxygen away from the
heart and veins carry blood that has used up its oxygen back
to the heart. Through the heart and lungs, the blood gets
a fresh supply of oxygen and delivers it to the rest of the
body.
Twenty major arteries make a path through the tissues of
the body. Then they branch out into smaller vessels called
arterioles. These branch further into the capillaries, most of
which are thinner than a hair – some so tiny, in fact, that only
one blood cell can move through at a time.
Right atrium
Left atrium
Left atrium
Mitral valve
Tricuspid valve
Aortic valve
Septum of the heart
Left ventricle
Heart, opened longitudinally
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Right ventricle
Left ventricle
COOL FACT
At every stage of life, your heart is about
the size of the fist you make when you
close your hand.
Aortic arch
Heart
Capillary bed of the liver
Once the blood in capillaries delivers oxygen and nutrients, it
picks up carbon dioxide and other waste. Then blood moves
back through wider vessels, called venules. These eventually join to form veins, which deliver the blood back to your
heart to pick up oxygen.
Capillary bed
of the right kidney
If all the vessels of this network were laid end to end, they
would extend about 96.500 kilometres, far enough to circle
the Earth more than twice!
Because all the tissues in the body rely on it, the cardiovascular system appears early in developing embryos – in the
fourth week after fertilisation – and reaches a functioning
state long before any other major organ system.
Capillary bed
of the uterus
Blood vessel configuration
of inner organs
Learn with BODY WORLDS
The cardiovascular system is delicate and can be affected by many things. Fats and cholesterol, for example, can slow or even block the flow of blood in the body. Fats and cholesterol
enter the body as food, and that is one way people are encouraged to limit the amount of fatty
or oily foods they eat. Think of ten fatty foods and ten healthier options. For example, you may
think of a doughnut as a fatty food and toast as an alternative.
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THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Converting Food Into Energy
Tongue
Oesophagus
Stomach
The body’s digestive system converts the food you eat into
the energy you need to live.
Liver
Pancreas
The journey through your digestive system is a long one for
food. It starts in the mouth, where teeth grind and tear the
food into small pieces. Saliva then wets and softens the food,
and begins to dissolve carbohydrates. Once the food is properly mashed and wet, it is pushed by muscle action into the
pharynx, or throat, and down the esophagus, which leads to
the stomach.
When food reaches the stomach it is mixed and broken
down further by acids the stomach produces. The stomach
protects itself from these acids by secreting a layer of mucus
that lines the inside of the stomach.
Duodenum
Small intestine
Some things, such as water and sugars, can be absorbed
right out of the stomach and into the bloodstream. The
things that need more digestion have further steps ahead
of them. When the stomach has made the food a liquid, the
food passes through a valve into the small intestine.
The small intestine has a large surface area because it contains villi. Villi are tiny little structures like very short hairs
that stick out into the small intestine. Through the walls of
the villi nutrients from food pass into the bloodstream. The
bloodstream carries the nutrients to your cells so they can
live.
Large intestine
Once all the useful nutrients have been taken from food in
the small intestine, the unusable parts pass into the large
intestine, or colon.
In the large intestine, water is extracted from the waste and
the material hardens into faeces. The feces are passed out
of the body when you go to the toilet.
Caecum
Appendix
Rectum
Digestive tract
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COOL FACT
Your mouth makes about litre of saliva
each day, and you produce a total of
about seven litres of digestive juices.
Blood vessel configuration of the liver (rear view)
Digestive helpers
The pancreas, liver, and gallbladder are all organs that do
things important to the digestive system. The pancreas makes enzymes that help digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The liver makes bile, which helps the body absorb fat.
Bile is stored in the gallbladder until it is needed. Enzymes
and bile travel into the small intestine through ducts. Interestingly, people don’t really need the gallbladder. If it is removed, the bile just flows right into the small intestine and
does its job.
Parasympathetic
nerve branches
Duodenum
Stomachs of varying size and shape
Learn with BODY WORLDS
BODY WORLDS leertip!
The digestive system breaks down the food that supplies the human body with energy. What
foods would you eat if you needed energy for sports or active recreation?
Pick five foods you think would be good sources of energy. Then pair off and research your
foods. Were they all healthy choices for getting the energy you needed?
23
EMBRYONIC &
FOETAL DEVELOPMENT
Life begins with a single cell, or zygote, after the father’s
sperm fertilises the mother’s egg.
The zygote contains the human genome, the individual
blueprint of a human being. It consists of the parents’
gene pairs, organised in chromosomes. This special set
of chromosomes, which has never existed before and will
never be recreated, determines the characteristics and
traits of the conceived human being.
The first weeks
Roughly 30 hours after fertilisation, a microscopic human
egg begins to divide into two identical daughter cells. Twins
will develop if these two cells separate from each other.
Most of the time, however, the complete embryo will remain
intact and migrate down the Fallopian tube, settling in the
uterus on the sixth day. Pregnancy will last an average of
260 days from that point.
Zygote or fertilised egg (400 times magnified).
The embryo, suspended in amniotic fluid and surrounded
by foetal membranes, is linked to the maternal blood
supply via the umbilical cord and placenta. During the
first four weeks, the embryo is roughly 4 millimetres long
and will grow to 3 centimetres by the end of the eighth
week, when it will weigh approximately 4 grammes. All of
the organs will be in place by the end of this period, after
which the developing child is referred to as a foetus. The
length and weight of the foetus then begins to increase
significantly as it proceeds through further complex stages
of development.
Week 13 to 14
Coordinated movements will begin, although the mother
is not yet able to feel them. The relatively large head
will straighten up, the lower extremities are already well
developed, and the toenails will begin to grow.
Week 15 to 16
The foetus is now 15 centimetres long and can weigh up to
200 grammes. Its gender can be detected via ultrasound,
and its skeleton will show up clearly on x-rays. Its legs have
begun to grow larger, and its head is smaller relative to its
body as a whole. Foetal blood begins to develop in the liver.
Ovaries have already developed in female foetuses.
Week 17 to 18
Foetal growth has slowed; the weight of the foetus has
increased to 300 grammes. The skin is still thin because the
(white) subcutaneous fatty tissues have not yet developed.
Brown fatty tissues have, however, begun to form; these
will allow the small organism to produce its own heat. The
uterus has developed in female foetuses. Mothers may feel
the foetus move from this point on.
Week 19 to 20
Toward the end of this phase, the foetus will be 28
centimetres long and will weigh up to 460 grammes. The
body and head of the foetus are now covered with fine hair
(known as lanugo), which contains little pigment.
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COOL FACT
When a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, the alcohol level in the blood of
her foetus will be the same as in her
own.
Placenta. On the surface of the fetal side, the arteries and veins
of the umbilical cord vessels branch out.
Week 21 to 24
The foetus begins to gain weight more rapidly again, and its
proportions are becoming more like those of a baby. Rapid
eye movement has begun, and fingernails will start to grow.
The skin is still red and wrinkled. The lungs, however,
are now capable of breathing, if insufficiently, because
there is not yet any coordination between them and the
nervous system. As a result of this lack of coordination, the
exchange of gases (especially CO2 exhalation) cannot be
ensured to a sufficient extent, thereby leading to an oxygen
deficiency, which can cause more or less severe damage to
the brain if the baby is born at this stage.
Week 25 to 28
The lungs are now fully capable of breathing, which means
that the foetus is capable of living outside the womb.
During week 26, the eyes can open, and subcutaneous
fatty tissue developed by this point has given the body a
more rounded shape. Until this point, the spleen has been
producing blood; during week 28, bone marrow will take
over this function. A foetus will now weigh more than 1
kilogramme.
Week 29 to 32
The foetus’s body will grow to over 42 centimetres, and
its weight will increase to 1.5 to 2.1 kilogrammes. The
fingernails will grow to the tips of the fingers, and the skin
will now be pink and smooth. The eyes will respond to light
by means of the pupillary reflex, and the hands will respond
to stimulus with a ‘grasping’ reflex.
Eight-week-old embryo.
LEARN WITH BODY WORLDS
Many factors influence the development of an unborn
baby. How do environmental influences affect the child?
What circumstances in the life of the mother have a positive or negative effect, or can even harm the baby? How do
these influences actually reach the foetus? Discuss these
questions in class.
25
ART IN SCIENCE
The Beauty of the Body
LEARN WITH BODY WORLDS
Understanding how the body works is important in many
professions. Think about what you want to be when you
grow up, and write a short sentence or paragraph explaining why anatomy could be important in the job, and why.
BODY WORLDS exhibitions teach us a
lot about the science
and anatomy of the human body. They also teach about
the form and art of the human
body.
Studies of anatomy have always
been an important part of art education. Artists who know how the
human body is put together and how
its muscles work are better able to
portray people in painting, sculpture,
and other art forms.
This knowledge is important, even if
artists choose to represent the human
form in abstract ways.
In the BODY WORLDS exhibits, Dr. Gunther von Hagens
has positioned human figures to reveal how the body is put
together and how it performs different tasks. He has also
presented human figures in ways that highlight different
body systems, such as muscles, internal organs or nerves,
and blood vessels.
The scientific choices he has made give us a new way to
understand how human bodies work. At the same time,
he has revealed how beautiful the form and systems of the
human body are.
As visitors go through the exhibits, they learn the science
and biology of anatomy. They also get to experience the
artistic qualities of anatomy. This gives the exhibits appeal
to all students, not just those in science classes.
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Think like an artist
Artists sometimes like to focus on one aspect of a figure.
In art, this may be done by emphasising one feature of a
person, or showing the subject from an unusual angle or
perspective.
Explore this idea by thinking about someone in your family. Reflect on what this person is like, or what you admire
about him or her. Then think about what you would focus
on if you were to portray this person in an artwork. Draw a
sketch of your artwork and explain your ideas to the class.
Photography as art
Newspaper photographers often are asked to take photo
portraits of people in the news. These portraits often could
be considered photographic artworks. Look through the
news and features sections for several days and cut out
photos portraying people. Pick the one you like the most
and explain to the class what makes the portrayal effective
or artistic in your eyes. Finish by giving the photo a title,
and explain it to classmates.
Sports anatomy
Coaches need to know how to evaluate the physical skills
and talents of players. These talents often are based on
anatomy. Pick an athlete you admire. Then think about
the different body systems explored in this guide. Write
out which systems contribute most to the success of this
athlete.
WOULD YOU DO IT?
Thoughts about Plastination and Your Body
COOL FACT
Plastination takes a very long time. A
whole body can take up to 1,500 hours
to prepare.
All specimens in Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS exhibits are authentic. They belonged to people who declared
during their lifetime that their bodies should be made available after their deaths for the instruction of doctors and the
education of the public.
“BODY WORLDS is most of all a collaboration between the
donors and myself, and all those who view the exhibit,”Dr.
von Hagens says. “All of humanity owes the donors a great
deal, for without them, there would be no BODY WORLDS.”
To ensure that donors make the decision willingly, von
Hagens’ Institute for Plastination requires that all donors
sign an official consent form. In the form, the donors must
declare that they have made the decision “freely and voluntarily” to donate their body “for the purpose of anatomical research and education … for students and especially
for the general public.”
In addition, they must check off answers to specific questions that have been raised by Plastination so there is no
doubt they fully understand their decision.
“I agree for my body to be used for any purposes, provided
it is to do with medical research or training” reads one example.
Or “I agree that my plastinated body can be used for the
medical enlightenment of laypeople and, to this end, exhibited in public (e.g. in a museum).”
Or “I agree that my body can be used for an anatomical
work of art.”
Or “I agree that lay people be allowed to touch my plastinated body” in some exhibits.
Talk about it
As a class, discuss whether you would want to have your
body, or the body of a relative, plastinated for education or
display. Then discuss whether you think it is a good idea to
exhibit plastinates for the general public. To ease discussion, you can set up a “For Chair” and an “Against Chair”
to sit in at the front of the room when offering your opinion.
In your discussion:
• Consider what motivates a donor
to allow his/her body to be plastinated
for education or an exhibit.
• Consider how the friends and relatives
of a donor might feel.
• Imagine that a member of your
immediate family wanted to be plastinated.
• Consider what you might learn –
or did learn – about your own body
from viewing the BODY WORLDS exhibits.
LEARN WITH BODY WORLDS
After holding the class discussion, summarise the general feelings of the class in a news story of the style
found on the front page of a newspaper. Talk about how
newspaper reporters must weigh all information before
making a general conclusion.
Donors to the Institute for Plastination have the option to
donate all useable organs to save lives before their bodies
are plastinated.
Then compare summaries written by different members
of the class. How similar were they?
What were some differences? What was the source
of those differences?
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